EPISODE · Nov 7, 2025 · 47 MIN
S3Ep43 Getting Unstuck: How to Rewire the Brain and Heal the Body with Dena Ford
from Ripple Effect Connection · host Kristi Hujik
Do you ever feel stuck in survival mode — anxious, overwhelmed, or like your body and mind just won’t calm down? In this episode, Dena Ford, LMHC, PhD, joins us to explore how mental health, generational trauma, and chronic stress impact both the mind and body.Dena shares her personal journey into mental health, how her own experiences with trauma shaped her career, and what she’s learned working with clients facing chronic pain, caregiver stress, and life transitions like menopause. We also dive into EMDR and somatic therapy, debunk myths about trauma therapy, and discuss how lifestyle changes and self-awareness can help regulate the nervous system and support long-term healing.Whether you’re navigating your own trauma, supporting someone else, or just curious about the mind-body connection, this conversation offers practical insight and guidance for moving from stuck in survival mode to empowered, regulated living.00:00 Intro04:27 Understanding Generational Trauma06:30 The Stigma of Trauma09:14 EMDR and Somatic Therapy11:58 Chronic Pain and Trauma Connection14:33 Myths About EMDR and Trauma Therapy16:51 Balance In The Central Nervous System18:50 Somatic Work and Body Awareness20:47 The Interconnection of Body and Mind24:05 Menopause Hormones and Mental Health26:30 Reinventing Yourself Through Menopause27:20 Neuroplasticity and Epigenetics: Taking Control28:50 The Challenges of Younger Generations31:24 Social Media's Impact on Mental Health32:49 Coping as a Caregiver40:16 Rewiring the Brain/Limbic System42:37 Simple Modalities for HealingConnect with Kristi Hujik:===== Instagram - https://instagram.com/wholehealthkristi ===== Website - https://kristihujik.com ===== Work with me - https://www.kristihujik.com/coaching-offerings ===== Product discounts and links for you - https://linktr.ee/wholehealth ===== Watch On & Subscribe To My Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@wholehealthkristi13 ===== Full Show Notes - https://kristihujik.com/podcastConnect with Dena Ford:===== Email - [email protected] Resources:Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, MD: Nadine Burke Harris | Speaker | TEDDr. Bessel van der kold, MD: Home - Trauma Research FoundationChildhood Disrupted book by Donna Jackson NakazawaFor more information on EMDR:About EMDR Therapy - EMDR International Association
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S3Ep43 Getting Unstuck: How to Rewire the Brain and Heal the Body with Dena Ford
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